Total Eclipse II - The Sphinx Jinx
Platform: ZX Spectrum
Region: UK
Media: Tape
Controller: Kempston, Interface 2, Cursor and Keyboard
Genre: Adventure - Graphic
Gametype: Licensed
Release Year: 1991
Developer: Major Developments
Publisher: Incentive Software Ltd
Players: 1
Programmer: Ian Andrew, Chris Andrew, Stephen Northcott
_________________________

The Sphinx Jinx, apart from being quite a clever use of assonance, is the sequel to Total Eclipse, and the fourth game to use the revolutionary Freescape (TM) system. Incentive conceived it, and now Incentive is using it (a lot). Previously, these games had been confined to the vacuous void (space to you), the moon and other nearby related satellites. Then came Total Eclipse which brought the system down to Earth, with an Egyptian setting, an early 20th century time zone and lots of sandy yellow graphics. 

This is the easiest Freescape game to get into so far, because most of the action is concentrated in inside locations rather than across a massive roving landscape. The Sphinx Jinx comes in a double pack with Total Eclipse I, that equals at least three or four long weekends' worth on one tape. Though at present it's only available through the Home Computer Club, it'll be put on general release soon. Excellent value.
